Multifingered scale

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a filling system ( 1 ) for containers ( 2 ) fed into a filling device by means of a feeder device ( 3 ) and removed by means of a removal device ( 4 ), wherein at least one measurement device ( 5 ) is provided at least for weighing the filled container ( 2 ). The invention further relates to a measurement device ( 5 ) at least for weighing filled containers ( 2 ). In order to achieve that each container ( 2 ) can be subjected to fill level monitoring without interrupting the flow of containers, wherein reliable measurement data can be obtained at the same time regardless of foaming or of container tolerances, for example, the invention proposes that the at least one measurement device ( 5 ) is formed of a plurality of circulating measurement sensors ( 6 ) on which the containers ( 2 ) are transported from an inlet side ( 7 ) to an outlet side ( 8 ) while standing on the base thereof, and are simultaneously weighed, wherein the measurement sensors ( 6 ) circulate synchronously with the container flow.

The invention relates to a filling system for containers that are supplied to a filling device via a supplying device and are removed from a filling device via a removal device, wherein at least one measuring device is provided at least for weighing the filled containers. However, the invention also relates to a measuring device at least for weighing filled containers.

These types of containers can be used in the manner of bottles or the like for liquid, for example for beverages. The containers can be produced from a transparent or translucent material, for example glass or a translucent plastics material, e.g. PET or also from sheeting. The containers are supplied, for example to a filling system in which they are filled with a liquid product and once filled, are then closed.

As the containers are being filled, it must be ensured that each container is filled with the necessary quantity of liquid product according to standard default settings, it also having to be ensured that the respective container is not over-filled with an excessive quantity.

Carrying out a fill level check is a known way to ascertain whether the container is filled with the necessary quantity of liquid product. In this case the respective containers run through an inspection device, which illuminates the containers e.g. in the region of their bottle neck, as an example, and records the corresponding data e.g. by means of a CCD camera. In an evaluation and control unit the actual data recorded is compared with required data such that under-filled or over-filled containers can be separated out. It is important also that this inspection is not carried out in a random manner but that each container is correspondingly checked. Sensor arrangements with transmitters and receivers are also known in this context.

It is also known, for example, that carbonated liquid products are foamed up in order, once air has successfully been displaced from the container head space, to achieve closing of the containers. This avoids the liquid product being impaired by oxygen inside the closed containers. It is naturally conceivable that liquid products that have not undergone any particular foaming-up procedure are also subject to the formation of foam.

However, the optical data or sensor data carried out with reference to the fill level check can be falsified through the foam forming process such that under-filled or over-filled containers could be deemed to conform to standard although they should actually be separated out. It is also naturally conceivable that containers that are filled to standard could also be separated out. In addition, the containers, for example bottles, are subject to certain shape tolerances such that these could also result in an unreliable inspection result.

It is also conceivable to carry out a fill quantity check by means of weighing the filled containers. To this end, the individual containers could be removed from the container flow, that-is-to-say put into singles, and, for example, weighed by means of a separate holding device. Once the specific weight of the liquid product and the weight of the empty container are known, it is possible to deduce the filled weight. If the weight is surplus or deficit with reference to the respective reference data, the container in question can be separated out. The main disadvantage with this approach, however, is that the container flow is interrupted to weigh the containers one by one and this is a big disadvantage in filling systems that nowadays have a throughput of approximately 60,000 containers per hour. An interruption in the container flow thus results in considerable time losses and consequently in economic losses.

For example, DE 103 01 844 A1 discloses a filling machine where initially the empty containers and then, after filling, the filled containers are weighed. To this end, a supplying conveyor comprises two parts, between which scales are located. The containers are moved from the first part of the supplying conveyor onto the scales by way of suitable means, it not being explained in any more detail how this occurs. As described above, the containers are certainly raised by means of a holding device and placed onto the scales in order, after weighing, to transfer the containers in the very same manner to the second part of the supplying conveyor. However, this certainly interrupts the container flow. The weighed empty containers are filled by means of filling devices and are then removed by way of a removal conveyor. The removal conveyor, analogous to the supplying conveyor, is formed by two parts, between which a second set of scales is located for weighing the filled containers. In this case too, it appears that the respective container is moved to the scales by means of separate holding devices and is then removed again which means that the container flow is interrupted again. In order to achieve a measurement at a high conveying speed, that-is-to-say not to interrupt the container flow, DE 103 01 844 A1 consequently proposes that individual containers are transferred out of the container flow. The transferred-out containers are supplied to a measuring point located next to the removal conveyor. This means, however, that it is no longer possible to check the fill quantity of each container in a continuous manner, rather purely in a random manner.

Consequently, it is the object of the invention to improve a filling system or a measuring device of the aforementioned type with simple means such that each container can be subject to a fill quantity check without interrupting the container flow, at the same time, for example irrespective of a foam forming process or of container tolerances, reliable measuring data being obtainable.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a fill system with the features of claim 1, the at least one measuring device being formed by a plurality of circulating measuring sensors, on which the containers, standing on their bottom side, are conveyed from an inlet side to an outlet side and are at the same time weighed, wherein the measuring sensors circulate synchronously with the container flow. The object is also achieved, however, by a measuring device with the features of claim 10.

The invention makes available a continuous check on the fill quantity of each container where the containers do not have to be put into singles or be held by a separate holding element. Rathermore, a measuring device is advantageously made available where the respective containers can be weighed at the speed that is preferably identical to that of the container flow, any possible foam forming process and container tolerances not influencing the resultant measuring result. In addition a plurality of containers can be weighed at the same time by way of the weighing device, a reliable measuring result being obtainable for each container.

In an advantageous manner, the containers can be transferred from the removal device, or from a continuous conveyor connected downstream of said removal device, to the measuring device at the speed that is preferably identical to that of the container flow, the measuring device conveying the containers at the corresponding speed from the inlet side to the outlet side. At the outlet side, the containers are then transferred at the corresponding speed to a conveyor connected downstream (preferably a continuous conveyor).

In a favourable development, the measuring sensors are located at right angles to the direction of conveying, and, when viewed in the direction of conveying, are each spaced apart. The measuring sensors can be adapted to the width of the standing surface (bottom) of the container when viewed in a direction of conveying such that only one container stands upright on a measuring sensor at a time. As, however, different containers can be filled in one filling system, it is sensible within the terms of the invention to realize the measuring sensors universally as narrow bars with preferably a flat standing surface such that one container stands upright over several measuring sensors. In this case it would be favourable if the standing surface of the container, that-is-to-say its bottom, were not interrupted at least when viewed in the circumferential direction.

In an expedient manner, the measuring sensors are preferably realized as measuring fingers such that a quasi multi-fingered measuring device is formed, the individual measuring fingers being spaced apart such that a quasi conveyor belt is formed with an upper belt and a lower belt. However, a development is also conceivable where the measuring sensors rotate horizontally, that-is-to-say, for example, in the form of a horizontally positioned oval carousel-type machine or for example a horizontally located carousel-type machine.

In order to be able to record the weight of the standing container, it is provided in a favourable manner that the measuring sensors are provided with or connected to measuring elements, which are able to detect a load, that-is-to-say, for example, a bending, a strain or a force in the longitudinal axis (at right angles to the direction of conveying) or a comparable signal of the measuring sensors or of the individual measuring fingers. These types of measuring elements can be realized, for example, as pressure sensors or as strain gauges. It is conceivable to locate a measuring element at each measuring sensor such that the weight of the container standing upright over several measuring sensors can be recorded and can be associated with said container. This is advantageous because in this manner the containers do not have to be transferred at a predetermined spacing to the measuring device, but can just be conveyed and weighed spaced apart in a minimally unordered manner. As an alternative it is also conceivable to record the load (e.g. deflection or bending) of the measuring sensors by way of a stationary (that-is-to-say not circulating) measuring element. In this case, in a advantageous manner, there is no need to record the load on the individual fingers, the deflection or bending of resilient measuring sensors, for example, being recorded by means of an individual stationary measuring element, which is located in a preferred manner in the direct vicinity of the circulating measuring sensors.

It is expedient within the terms of the invention for the measuring elements to be connected to an evaluation unit such that containers not filled according to standard can be detected. To this end, required data relating to the respective liquid product and the relevant container type is stored in the evaluation unit such that a comparison with the recorded actual data supplies the necessary, reliable basis on which a decision is made regarding a container filled according to standard.

If the evaluation unit detects that one of the containers has not been filled to standard, that-is-to-say is under-filled or over-filled, a corresponding signal is sent to a separating-out device, which removes or separates the corresponding container from or out of the container flow. The separating-out device can be connected downstream of the measuring device. In a further development, the corresponding containers can also be separated out as early as on the measuring device. In an expedient manner the measuring sensors are mounted so as to be deflectable or displaceable at right angles to the direction of conveying for this reason, such that the relevant container can be separated out of the container flow by displacing the corresponding measuring sensor. The evaluation unit, to this end, can send a corresponding signal preferably to a control device, which brings about a displacing or deflecting of the relevant measuring sensor. The container set “aside”, in this case, is initially forwarded in the direction of conveying and is removed on the outlet side, for which purpose a corresponding separating-out device, e.g. developed as a removal element, can be located on the outlet side.

In order to achieve that the containers can be conveyed in a straight line on the measuring device, that-is-to-say in a line following one after the other, and in this manner always stand upright on the identical portion of the respective measuring sensor, a guide element is provided at least on the input side. The guide element, in a preferred development, has two guide jaws located spaced apart in the transverse direction of the measuring device, said guide jaws being spaced apart such that a conveying of containers standing side by side in the transverse direction of the measuring device is avoided. Naturally the guide jaws can also be realized so as to be adjustable, such that said guide jaws are adjustable so as to be adaptable to the most varied developments of containers, in particular when viewed in their circumferential direction. In a favourable development, such a correspondingly realized guide element is also located on the outlet side. This latter can also remove the containers separated out, that-is-to-say the containers put “aside”.

Naturally it is within the terms of the invention for the empty weight of the containers to be recorded by way of a further measuring device before said containers are filled. To this end, the then second measuring device is associated with the supplying device or with a continuous conveyor connected upstream of said supplying device. The empty weight detected is stored in the evaluation unit. When the same container, but now filled, reaches the measuring device associated with the outlet side, its total weight is recorded, such that by simply comparing the data of the two recorded weights, the evaluation unit is able to detect the precise fill volume. The measuring device can naturally also include the guide element or guide elements.

The fill system can be realized as a linear system with linear conveyor systems or as a rotating system. In the case of the rotating design, a supplying star, a filling star and a removal star are provided. The containers are supplied to the supplying star via a continuous conveyor, it being possible for such a continuous conveyor also to be associated with the removal star. The respective measuring devices can preferably be associated with the respective continuous conveyor.

Obviously the measuring device is not to be restricted to use in a filling system.

Further advantageous developments of the invention are disclosed in the sub claims and the following description of the Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a basic view of a filling system with a measuring device,

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the measuring device in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the measuring device in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the measuring device in FIG. 1 and

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the measuring device in FIG. 1.

Identical parts in the different Figures are always provided with the same references, which is why, as a rule, they are only described once.

FIG. 1 shows a filling system 1 for containers 2, which are supplied to a filling device via a supplying device 3 and are removed from a filling device via a removal device 4. There is provided at least one measuring device 5 at least for weighing the filled containers 2. The measuring device 5 is formed by a plurality of circulating measuring sensors 6, on which the containers 2, standing upright on their bottom side, are conveyed from an inlet side 7 to an outlet side 8 and at the same time are weighed, the measuring sensors 6 circulating synchronously with the container flow.

The filling system 1 is realized, for example, in a rotating design, which means that the containers 2 are supplied to the supplying device 3, realized as inlet star 10, via a continuous conveyor 9. The inlet star 10 transfers the containers 2 to a filling star 11 at which the filling device or a plurality of filling devices is or are located. The filled containers 2 pass into the removal device 4, realized as removal star 12, and from there onto a continuous conveyor 13.

As represented as an example, the measuring device 5 is associated with the continuous conveyor 13 that is connected downstream of the removal device 4. To give a general overview, only individual containers 2 are shown standing upright on the measuring device 5. Obviously a plurality of containers 2 stands on the measuring device 5 spaced apart in an unordered manner. In addition, the measuring device connects directly to the continuous conveyor 13. Naturally, the continuous conveyor 13 is not realized in different dimensions as represented.

The containers 2 are realized, as an example, as bottles, for example as glass bottles or as plastics material bottles, preferably with a bottom that is not interrupted in the circumferential direction or with a flat standing surface in the circumferential direction on the bottom side.

The measuring device 5 has guide elements 14 on the inlet side and on the outlet side, said guide elements being located laterally offset with reference to a central axis X (FIG. 4). The respective guide elements 14 include guide jaws 16 that are spaced apart in a transverse direction 15, the spacing between them being adapted to a diameter of the containers 2, such that the respective containers 2, when viewed in a direction of conveying (arrow 17, FIG. 4), are conveyed to the measuring device 6 arranged one behind the other, that-is-to-say in a straight line. The line of conveying is represented by means of the broken line X1. It is conceivable to realize the guide jaws 16 so that they are adjustable in the transverse direction 15 such that said guide jaws can then be adjusted to different diameters of different container types, for naturally a plurality of container types can also be filled by way of one fill system, preferably identical container types being series filled. In the exemplary embodiment represented in FIG. 4, the top guide jaw 16 in each case in the drawing plane is located completely to the side of the measuring sensors 6. FIG. 5 shows that there is a gap between the guide jaws 16 and the standing surfaces of the measuring sensors 6 in the vertical direction Y. The guide element 14 on the inlet side prevents containers, when viewed in the transverse direction 15, being conveyed side by side on the measuring device 5, the guide element 14 on the outlet side bringing about a transfer of the containers one behind another to a continuous conveyor 18 that is connected downstream. In addition, the guide elements 14 can be used as protection against falling over, in order to avoid the containers 2 falling over when they are transferred from the container flow correspondingly to the measuring device 5 and from said measuring device to a conveyor connected downstream. In addition one of the guide jaws 16 of the guide element 14 on the outlet side can also operate as a removal device for containers 2 that have not been filled to standard, this being looked at in more detail below.

The guide elements 14 are located, for example, such that said guide elements engage over the respective continuous conveyors 13 and 18 and the measuring device 5.

The measuring sensors 6 are located at right angles to the direction of conveying 17 and are preferably realized as narrow bars such that a container 2 stands upright on its bottom side over several measuring sensors 6. A standing surface of the measuring sensors 6 should be flat. As shown in FIG. 2 as an example, the container 2, as an example, stands upright on its bottom side over four measuring sensors 6. Larger containers can stand over more than four measuring sensors 6 and smaller ones can stand over fewer measuring sensors 6.

The measuring device 5, with its plurality of measuring sensors 6 spaced apart, is formed as a quasi conveyor belt with an upper belt and a lower belt, guiding or driving devices being provided in each case on the inlet side and on the outlet side.

The measuring device 5 or the individual measuring sensors 6 in this case preferably circulate at the identical speed as the container flow, which means that the circulating speed of the individual measuring sensors 6 is adapted to the speed of the continuous conveyor 13 or 18 connected upstream or downstream. Naturally, the circulating speed of the measuring device 5 is controllable.

In order to be able to record the weight of the standing containers 2, there are provided or connected to the measuring sensors 6 measuring elements (not shown) which can detect a load, for example a bending, a deflection or a force in the longitudinal axis (at right angles to the direction of conveying 17) or a comparable signal from the measuring sensors 6 or from the individual measuring fingers. These types of measuring elements can be realized, for example, as pressure sensors or as strain gauges. It is conceivable to arrange one measurement element at each measuring sensor 6 such that the weight of the container standing upright on more than one measuring sensor 6 is recorded and can be associated with said container. As an alternative it is also conceivable to record the load (e.g. deflection or bending) on the measuring sensor 6 by way of a stationary (that-is-to-say not circulating) measuring element. In this case, in an advantageous manner, there is no need to record the load on the individual fingers, for example the deflection or the bending of resilient measuring sensors being recorded by means of one single stationary measuring element.

The measuring elements are preferably connected in a wireless manner to an evaluation unit 19, in which reference data or required data with regard to the quantity to be filled and the type of container (weight) is stored. A comparison is carried out by means of the actual data recorded, it thereby being possible to obtain a precise fill volume. The measuring sensors 6 that are loaded in each case or the corresponding measuring elements can be connected together correspondingly or transfer their data together to the evaluation unit 19, such that the weight of the container 23 standing upright is determinable. It is favourable if the combined allocation of the respective measuring sensors 6 or of the respective measuring elements is lifted for one circulation in the lower belt, and is newly allocated again in the upper belt, that-is-to-say if a new container 2 to be weighed stands again on possibly different measuring sensors 6. However, it is also possible to allocate the measuring sensors 6 or the measuring elements directly corresponding to the product line when the fill system is adjusted, that-is-to-say to split at least the upper belt accordingly; for the measuring device can be adjustable such that in each case the identical measuring sensors 6 are loaded even if the axial spacing between the containers 2 is non-ordered.

In order to be able to weigh an empty container, a measuring device is also associated in a sensible manner with the continuous conveyor 9, said measuring device being preferably realized in an identical manner to the afore-described measuring device 6. The recorded data (empty weight of the container 2) is supplied to the evaluation unit 19 and is stored there. The measuring elements of said measuring device can preferably be connected to a receiving unit in a wireless manner, the receiving unit being connectable to the evaluation unit 19 such that the data can be transferred to said evaluation unit. Once the relevant, however filled, container 2 reaches the measuring device 6, its overall weight is recorded, the corresponding measuring signal is sent to the evaluation unit 19 and there is compared to the stored empty weight of the relevant container 2, such that the fill volume is precisely determinable without the result being influenced by container tolerances.

If the evaluation unit 19 then detects a container that has not been filled to standard or in a correct manner, a corresponding removal signal is sent to a removal device, which separates the relevant under-filled or over-filled container 2 out of the container flow. The removal device can be connected downstream of the measuring device 6. This is shown symbolically by means of the arrow 20.

In a continued development, the corresponding containers 2 can be separated out as early as on the measuring device 5. In an expedient manner, the measuring sensors 6 are mounted for this reason so as to be displaceable or deflectable at right angles to the direction of transport, such that the relevant container 2 can be separated out of the container flow by a displacement of the corresponding measuring sensors. In this case, the evaluation unit 19 sends a corresponding signal to a control unit (not shown), which brings about a corresponding displacement of the relevant measuring sensors 6, that-is-to-say of the measuring sensors 6 on which the container that is not filled to standard is standing. The container 2 that has been set “aside”, that-is-to-say the container that is then offset to the side of the line X1, is in this case initially conveyed in the direction of transport 17 and is removed at the outlet side, for which reason a corresponding separating-out device, e.g. developed as a removal element, can be located on the outlet side, said separating-out device sending the relevant containers to a forwarding conveyor.

In the case of the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 4, the relevant measuring sensors 6, with the containers 2 that have not been filled to standard or in a correct manner standing upright thereon, would be displaced downward in the drawing plane, and forwarded in the direction of transport 17 until they reach the bottom guide jaw 16 in the drawing plane. The guide jaw 16 shown in the bottom drawing plane can therefore, in addition to the abovementioned alignment function, also have a removal function for removing containers 2 that have not been filled correctly or to standard. In an advantageous manner, the respective end faces 21 of the respective guide jaws 16 are consequently rounded. The displaced measuring sensors 6 can then be returned into their original position preferably on the bottom belt.

Naturally the inspection results of the measuring device 5 can also be used for re-adjusting the fill devices such that a quasi self-adjustable filling system 1 would be achievable.

LIST OF REFERENCES

-   -   1 Filling system     -   2 Container     -   3 Supplying device     -   4 Removal device     -   5 Measuring device     -   6 Measuring sensor     -   7 Inlet side     -   8 Outlet side     -   9 Continuous conveyor     -   10 Inlet star     -   11 Filling star     -   12 Outlet star     -   13 Continuous conveyor     -   14 Guide elements     -   15 Transverse direction     -   16 Guide jaws     -   17 Conveying direction     -   18 Continuous conveyor     -   19 Evaluation unit     -   20 Arrow     -   21 End faces     -   X Central axis     -   X1 Line of conveying     -   Y Vertical direction 

1. A filling system for containers that are supplied to a filling device via a supplying device and that are removed from the filling device via a removal device, said filling system comprising: a measuring device for weighing the filled containers, the measuring device being formed by a plurality of circulating measuring sensors that convey containers, standing upright on their bottom side, from an inlet side to an outlet side while concurrently weighing the containers, wherein the measuring sensors circulate synchronously with the container flow.
 2. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring device is controllable such that the containers are transferred from the removal device, or from a continuous conveyor connected downstream from the removal device, to the measuring device at the identical speed as the container flow, whereby the measuring device conveys the containers from the inlet side to the outlet side at the speed corresponding to the container flow.
 3. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring sensors are oriented at right angles to a direction along which the containers are conveyed.
 4. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring sensors comprise bars with a flat standing surface.
 5. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring sensors comprise measuring fingers that collectively form a multi-fingered measuring device and a conveyor belt having an upper belt and a lower belt.
 6. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring sensors comprise measuring fingers that collectively form a multi-fingered measuring device and a horizontally arranged conveyor belt.
 7. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring sensors comprise or connect to measuring elements.
 8. The filling system of claim 1, further comprising a stationary measuring element that detects a load on the measuring sensors.
 9. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring sensors are mounted to be displaceable at right angles to a direction along which containers are conveyed.
 10. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the measuring device comprises a guide element at least on the inlet side.
 11. The filling system of claim 1, wherein the supplying device or a continuous conveyor connected upstream thereof comprises a further measuring device associated therewith for weighing an empty container.
 12. A measuring device for weighing containers conveyed by a filling system that supplies containers to a filling device via a supplying device and that removes the containers from the filling device via a removal device, the measuring device comprising a plurality of circulating measuring sensors that transport the containers, standing upright on their bottom side, from an inlet side to an outlet side while concurrently weighing the containers, wherein the measuring sensors circulate synchronously with a container flow of a conveyor.
 13. The filling system of claim 10, wherein the guide element comprises two guide jaws spaced apart along a transverse direction transverse to a direction along which the containers are conveyed.
 14. The filling system of claim 7, wherein the measuring elements comprise a pressure sensor.
 15. The filling system of claim 7, wherein the measuring elements comprise a strain gauge.
 16. An apparatus for filling and weighing containers, said apparatus comprising: a filling device for filling containers; a supplying device for supplying containers to the filling device; a removal device for removing the containers from the filling device; a measuring device for weighing filled containers provided by the removal device, said measuring device including means for concurrently conveying the containers from an inlet to an outlet synchronously with container flow and weighing the containers. 